Breastfeeding Mom's

Laura - posted on 11/09/2010
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11 moms have responded
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I am curious how many mom's are going to be (or are) breastfeeding thier baby? I need some support and have always managed to find it through this forum! I need some encouragement, having trouble with my little one latching at night, ha getting myself out of bed at that rate when the hubby will readily do it! Just needing some support and encouragement.

It's frustrating to wake up in a puddle of breastmilk every morning because he doesn't wake me up to nurse her, instead he supplements with formula or pumped breastmilk. I want her exclusive to the breast but if she will not eat at night I do not have a choice! Ugh the frustration!

I'm so sorry that you are having BF issues. I pumped exclusively for 10 months with #1 (boy) b/c he was a NICU baby for 5 weeks. He didn't want to latch on and I didn't fight it b/c I had already been pumping for 3 weeks. At that time, the hospital didn't have a great lacation support system in place. With #2 (girl), it was a hard start b/c her latch was so bad that I had bleeding blisters. However, the hospital had a great out patient support system. I ended up nursing her for 18 months. #3 (boy-only 8 weeks old) has been a challenge. I'm so thankful for a great lactation support at the hospital. Without the support and knowing how wonderful it can be, I would have been tempted to wean it has been that difficult. However, it is now 8 weeks and it is finally getting so much better.My suggestion is to get in contact with both a lactation consultant and a lactation support group if possible. You can go to either LLLI.org and see if they have a local group or contact a local hospital or your baby's doctor to see if they know of a local lactation support group that meets. It is such an encouragement to get together with other women you have either been there or are in the situation you are.I hope this helps.

I highly recommend you talk to your lactiation consultant about the latching issues. My LC here said she was amazed I even wanted to try it again after how bad it was with my first. I literally have scars on my nipples from the first! But, after talking to her, we have worked out everything and I am pain free and kiddo latches like a champ! Even if it doesn't hurt yet, an improper latch can and will cause considerable pain for you down the road! As for your hubby, you HAVE to get him on board with the BFing at night. My hubby gets up and does the diaper change and then passes boy-o off to me to eat, then burps him and takes him back to bed when he is done. I get the max. amount of sleep possible while still feeding him! We did this with our first also! Its a great system, that gives Daddy his share of work and time with baby also!

My lactation nurse suggested I get a breast sheild (usually used for women with sensitive nipples and such) but it seemed to have tricked my child into thinking it was a bottle or passie! But no matter what as long as baby gets the things it needs it will be ok to get some rest! ~JulieAnna

Hey sweets... I am sorry to hear you are feeling down about breastfeeding... I am most positive you are doing a great job... I totally understand how you feel about waking up in a puddle but I can tell you this if you are not feeding or pumping through the night your milk will slow down at night and you won't wake up in a puddle... I had the same issue with my daughter only I was strictly pumping because she was still in the hospital... I was on a schedule of 3,6,9,and 12... So you can imagine how tired I was especially since I was spending as much time at the hospital as I could without driving rights... So I stopped pumping after midnight and for the first week or so I ended up soaked just like you but after that no more waking up wet... If your hubby wants to feed her at night let him but also make sure that he knows he is only to give her breast milk and nothing else... Then that way you can get a break and some much needed rest and like I said things will slow down on your production during those hours so you shouldn't have a problem with getting wet... The only thing you might want to watch out for is that rare occasion that she wouldn't nurse before you go to bed... In that case you will most likely end up soaked but hey life happens... Keep your head up and I am sure you will do and are doing just fine... Don't sweat the small things... Let your hubby have that bonding time with his daughter and enjoy the little extra sleep... Hope this helps... TTYL... Joy

keep the baby next to you at night in a bassinett, that way you can hear her when she's ready to eat. also, when you're ready, she's ready. so you can always just start nursing her and she'll probably take it. as far as latching on, just remember that she needs to be on you as far as a bottle would be in her mouth, or a pacifier, those things are modeled after nature.

w/our 2nd, i found it harder than our 1st. i only nursed for 3 weeks w/#2. i used a manual breastpump to relief the pressure and was able to stop my milk w/in a week.

if she's not taking to you at night, then you can pump at those times and save it. kinda sucks, you'll be awake either way, but at least she'll have your milk for bottle feedings at night.

i was very upset about not nursing #2 for as long as #1 but i found a lot of support and was able to put it to rest.

there's a great book - Breasfeeding Made Simple - that is an easy read. the LaLeche book was too long and off track for me. also, call your insurance company, they usually cover a few visits to a Lactation Consultant. i found i really had forgotten some things w/#2. you think you don't but you can. never hurts to have someone give you feedback while they're right there.

I am breastfeeding. First few weeks can be tough. Is she hurting you at night?I had a lactation consultant show me a great way to get them to take a huge mouthful. Basically always bring baby to breast not the other way around and make sure baby opens up huge, even if you have to wait for a big cry, then grabbing your boob and making sure baby has it in there up to half of your areoli (spelling?) and also look for her lips and they should not be sucked in but out and in a shape like a big < shape.

I don't know if its the same in the U.S but here in oz we have lactation midwives and breastfeeding help lines etc. I hope you find a way to get you and baby where you want to be. Just don't give up and whatever happens never ever think of yourself as failing in anyway, whatever happens will be right choice for you and baby :-)take care

It is only at night spoke with my lactation consultant about it, she will take expressed or pumped breast milk at night, she said to give her a small amount to encourage her to be mroe receptive at night to the breast. We will get there I will not give up this time! I breast fed my son fo ronly 6wks!

Today is my due date with baby #4.. ( and no baby yet) and I plan on breastfeeding her. I have breastfed with 2 other children as well.. Is it only at night that you are having problems with your baby latching? If not, you may need to try a different technique.. Maybe look up and see if you a La Leache Coach in your area.. Here is their website which they have breastfeeding forums there.. http://www.llli.org/nb.htmlI hope that you can find some helpful information.. it just takes practice. Hang in there and don't give up!!